[bijuks]

Originally Posted by AltoLXI

The onward route would have been 531 kms, if not for the closed "highway" after Pooppara. I had to take Adimali route to reach Munnar.

Can someone confirm whether this section of NH49 - "Poopara - Munnar" is open for traffic now?

Also, the updates on road conditions between Dindigul and Theni would be helpful. Is there any road work going on?

[Shiv_1984]

Originally Posted by bijuks

Can someone confirm whether this section of NH49 - "Poopara - Munnar" is open for traffic now?

Also, the updates on road conditions between Dindigul and Theni would be helpful. Is there any road work going on?

Road between theni and Dindigul is pretty much drivable albeit at conscious speeds as its also used by villagers staying nearby. Road work is going on but wont affect your driving.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by MaverikMahesh

Fellow Team BHPians, i am planning to travel to Club Mahindra, Munnar from Bangalore. From the previous posts, it appears that the best route for me would be Salem - Dindigul - Theni - Poopara - Suryanelli- CM resort. Am i correct in my deduction? Also are there any restrictions on carrying anything into TN and KL? I remember reading that at check posts, there were searches conducted inside the vehicles? Not sure for what? Is it that one is not supposed to carry Liquor etc?

As i plan to leave at 5 from JP Nagar, i would like to know if there are any decent places for Lunch around 12:30 to 1:30 with clean washrooms? Will be traveling with Wife and two kids.

Any help will be highly appreciated.

Don't deviate anywhere. Just take the Theni route and get into chinnakanal. CM is in Chinnakanal area only. Suryaneli would be a detour for you. if you leave at 5:00 you should be able to reach Salem by 8:00 approx and by 12:30 you should be somewhere around Theni, hardly any decent places to hop after Salem. So plan accordingly.

Thanks!

Note from Support - Please use the Multi-Quote feature to reply to multiple posts instead of submitting back-to-back posts.

[MaverikMahesh]

Originally Posted by Shiv_1984

Don't deviate anywhere. Just take the Theni route and get into chinnakanal. CM is in Chinnakanal area only. Suryaneli would be a detour for you. if you leave at 5:00 you should be able to reach Salem by 8:00 approx and by 12:30 you should be somewhere around Theni, hardly any decent places to hop after Salem. So plan accordingly.


Thanks!

Thanks Shiv,

It would be prudent to stop at Salem for breakfast. Are there any recommendations for a breakfast joint in Salem (without any detour into the city) - on the highway. I would prefer a joint on the highway outside the city limits. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[shyamk]

Dindugal to Theni road construction work is more or less complete. There are maybe a few places where they have the "take diversion" boards. I drove along this route during the ugadi weekend.

Shyam

If you are going to CM, and if you are game for a route with some scenic views, try this road once you cross Bodimettu.

http://goo.gl/maps/rP239

It goes over the Anerangal dam. There are a few places where a sedan should watch out, but all-in-all, it is a route worth taking.

Shyam

Note from Support - Posts merged. Please use the EDIT button to add more content to your post, within 30 mins of submitting it, instead of submitting back to back posts.

[MaverikMahesh]

Hi Shyam,

I drive an Innova, so this road that you mention, is it very steep and lot of curves? Will Innova manage the drive comfortably? And also how about the width of the road, is it good for two cars to pass safely? I do not to cause unnecessary anxiety with my wife and kids - thats the reason why i need to be sure. Thanks

[Shiv_1984]

Originally Posted by MaverikMahesh

Thanks Shiv,

It would be prudent to stop at Salem for breakfast. Are there any recommendations for a breakfast joint in Salem (without any detour into the city) - on the highway. I would prefer a joint on the highway outside the city limits. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Well, I didnt have breakfast outside, got some sandwiches packed from home and had it when we reached Salem.

AFA lunch is concerned, do you have a baby with you ? If no, would recommend, skip looking out for a Dhaba enroute and have the lunch at your resort as you should comfortably reach by 2:30 PM with a decent driving speed.

Thanks!

[MaverikMahesh]

Originally Posted by Shiv_1984

Well, I didnt have breakfast outside, got some sandwiches packed from home and had it when we reached Salem.

AFA lunch is concerned, do you have a baby with you ? If no, would recommend, skip looking out for a Dhaba enroute and have the lunch at your resort as you should comfortably reach by 2:30 PM with a decent driving speed.

Thanks!

Thanks Shiv, no i don't have a baby. We may end up doing what you suggested - depending on the hunger levels in the car. Else, westerngatz in Theni seems like a good option.

[shyamk]

Originally Posted by MaverikMahesh

Hi Shyam,

I drive an Innova, so this road that you mention, is it very steep and lot of curves? Will Innova manage the drive comfortably? And also how about the width of the road, is it good for two cars to pass safely? I do not to cause unnecessary anxiety with my wife and kids - thats the reason why i need to be sure. Thanks

Innova will do the curves easily. Except for a small portion of the road (around 100mts or so), two vehicles can pass easily.

Shyam

[MaverikMahesh]

Originally Posted by shyamk

Innova will do the curves easily. Except for a small portion of the road (around 100mts or so), two vehicles can pass easily.

Shyam

Ok thanks Shyam, we may try this road. When was the last time you used this road? was it recent? HVK was of the opinion that we should go on the highway 49 via poopara rather than this internal route. But if you say that the road condition is good and the scenery is great then we may try this as well

[ampere]

Originally Posted by MaverikMahesh

Ok thanks Shyam, we may try this road. When was the last time you used this road? was it recent? HVK was of the opinion that we should go on the highway 49 via poopara rather than this internal route. But if you say that the road condition is good and the scenery is great then we may try this as well

If your destination is some where in Chinnakanal, then this detour would be good. Else it would be longer. But off course you get to see the water body on the way.

[MaverikMahesh]

Originally Posted by ampere

If your destination is some where in Chinnakanal, then this detour would be good. Else it would be longer. But off course you get to see the water body on the way.

Hi Ampere, My destination is Club Mahindra in Chinnakanal. My only concern was the quality of the road. Will give it a shot.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by MaverikMahesh

Hi Ampere, My destination is Club Mahindra in Chinnakanal. My only concern was the quality of the road. Will give it a shot.

Then definitely worth it. Just make sure that you cover this section before the light fades. In dark hours these roads it can get difficult. Any way you would want to take some good snaps of this location. So it would be good if you can reach here by noon (say 3/3:30), so that you get to spend some good time and can make it Club Mahindra before dark.

[MaverikMahesh]

Originally Posted by ampere

Then definitely worth it. Just make sure that you cover this section before the light fades. In dark hours these roads it can get difficult. Any way you would want to take some good snaps of this location. So it would be good if you can reach here by noon (say 3/3:30), so that you get to spend some good time and can make it Club Mahindra before dark.

Thanks Ampere, With such a recommendation, i will definitely give it a shot. I will be reaching around 2 - 3 PM so should be ok.

[kala]

Originally Posted by MaverikMahesh

Ok thanks Shyam, we may try this road. When was the last time you used this road? was it recent? HVK was of the opinion that we should go on the highway 49 via poopara rather than this internal route. But if you say that the road condition is good and the scenery is great then we may try this as well

Good to hear that this road has improved. The only time I used this road was about 10 years or so back (may be even more) when I travelled from Chinnakanal for about 8-10 kms past Suryanelli to meet someone who has an estate there. And those days the road was more or less strictly Jeep territory (and I did travel in my friend's 4WD jeep).

If it is fit enough for Sedans now that's very encouraging to hear because it is a lovely and scenic drive.

[shyamk]

Originally Posted by MaverikMahesh

Ok thanks Shyam, we may try this road. When was the last time you used this road? was it recent? HVK was of the opinion that we should go on the highway 49 via poopara rather than this internal route. But if you say that the road condition is good and the scenery is great then we may try this as well

I did this route in February 2012. There are a few patches here and there, but worth the detour, simply for the scenic views.

Shyam